Team Genius
When youth hockey players lost ice time due to the pandemic, Minneapolis-based tech and media company TeamGenius jumped into problem-solving mode. Best known for its youth sports evaluation software used by more than a half-million athletes and coaches, TeamGenius launched a virtual training program that offers guidance tailored to individual players. In September 2020, TeamGenius acquired a hockey training platform and its virtual training content that was built and produced by former New Jersey Devils captain Bryce Salvador. The company exceeded its $1 million seed round goal, to be used to accelerate hiring and development of its new training platform. The first phase of the app launched in November, but founder and CEO Chris Knutson sees application for it beyond the pandemic by combining athlete evaluations with customized training programs. In the three months since the app launched, around 400 kids ages 9 to 14 have joined the platform. In addition to providing at-home workouts and mindset and skill development lessons, the app offers live interviews with Division 1 players, a whiteboard, and game frame breakdown videos to evaluate plays.
